'Thacker' show seeks more tourism funding

OXFORD – “Thacker Mountain Radio” could use some more paid staff.
The weekly music-and-literature radio show draws a live audience to downtown Oxford and is rebroadcast statewide on Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio. Joyce Freeland asked the Oxford Tourism Council on Wednesday to increase its support for the show. She said several benefactors have repeatedly met urgent needs for the show, whose only paid employee is a quarter-time producer, but organizers are hesitant to return to the same sources repeatedly.
“It’s about $1,800. a show, and we can’t do it on bubble gum and baling wire,” Freeland said. “Any extra money you can find, Thacker Mountain can use it.”
Tourism Council President Nicole Boyd acknowledged the value of the radio show and said while the council has budgeted its funds for the current year, she would ask city officials if any additional money might be available.